Central Districts prevail in high-scoring encounter

In a high-scoring encounter at the University Oval in Dunedin between Otago and Central Districts, Otago finished on the losing side despite a century by opener Chris Gaffaney, who scored 101 off just 55 balls. This is incidentally the maiden century in New Zealand's inaugural Twenty20 competition.

Gaffaney shared a 94-run stand for the third wicket with Nathan McCullum, who scored 52 with three sixes. Ross Taylor, the offbreak bowler conceded 46 runs off his three overs.

Chasing Otago's challenging target of 220, Central Districts lost Mathew Sinclair with the score on 12. Jamie How, enjoying a good season with the bat, and Ross Taylor shared a productive partnership of 93. The latter unleashed a brutal assault, scoring 66 off just 22 balls, with nine fours and five sixes. How made sure he hung around till the end, finishing on an unbeaten 74, as his team chased the target comfortably with one over to spare, losing only four wickets in the process.